Patent Application
20250082993
The present disclosure relates generally to exercise bars. In particular, exercise bars with multiple grip members are described.
Grip strength is important in many sports, activities, and vocations. Whether it be to rock climb more effectively, to manipulate heavy tools or equipment more capably, or to have more strength to loosen stuck items, people perform grip strength exercises of various types. Conventional equipment to facilitate grip strength exercises is not entirely satisfactory.
For example, existing equipment typically provides only a single grip, which limits their effectiveness for grip strength training. Generally, grip strength training is more effective and robust when grip muscles can be targeted and exercised in a variety of ways. By acting on exercise equipment with a variety of grips and positions, one could train a broader spectrum of grip muscles and grip supporting muscles.
Conventional equipment enabling grip strength training of some kind tends to be large and cumbersome to use. For example, long, general purpose exercise bars take up considerable space and are not easily transportable. Many grip strength aids are large, heavy pieces of fixed equipment available only at a gym. It would be desirable to have a simple, compact, and portable device configured for grip strength exercises.
Conventional exercise equipment is usually fixed in size and not able to be reconfigured to a smaller size for transport or storage. As a result, conventional exercise equipment tends to require a large space to store and is not well suited to transporting from one location to another. It would be beneficial to have a exercise device that could be readily put into a compact configuration to require less space for storage or transport.
Thus, there exists a need for exercise bars that improve upon and advance the design of conventional exercise equipment. Examples of new and useful exercise bars relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
The present disclosure is directed to exercise bars including a shaft, a first cylindrical grip member, and a second cylindrical grip member. The shaft extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end opposite the first end. The first cylindrical grip member has a first radial dimension. The second cylindrical grip member has a second radial dimension larger than the first radial dimension. The first cylindrical grip member axially mounts to the shaft. The second cylindrical grip member axially mounts to the shaft longitudinally adjacent to the first cylindrical grip member. In some examples, the exercise bars include an elongate tension bearing member, a coupler, a third cylindrical grip member, and/or a spherical grip member.
In some examples, the exercise bar defines a midplane at a longitudinal center of the shaft that conceptually divides the exercise bar into a first longitudinal half between the midplane and the first end and a second longitudinal half between the midplane and the second end. The first cylindrical grip member and the second cylindrical grip member may be mounted to the shaft in the first longitudinal half. The exercise bar may be configured symmetrically about the midplane with the second longitudinal half mirroring the first longitudinal half.
This document describes certain examples where the first cylindrical grip member is axially mounted to the shaft closer to the midplane than the second cylindrical grip member.
In select embodiments, the first cylindrical grip member is spaced from the midplane.
As described below, in particular instances the elongate tension bearing member is attached to the shaft proximate the longitudinal center of the shaft.
In some examples, the coupler is attached to the elongate tension bearing member at a position distal where the elongate tension bearing member attaches to the shaft.
This document describes certain examples where the third cylindrical grip member axially mounts to the shaft longitudinally adjacent to the second cylindrical grip member. The third cylindrical grip member may have a third radial dimension larger than the second radial dimension.
In select embodiments, the exercise bar and shaft are configured to telescope to selectively reduce its effective length. The second cylindrical grip member and the third cylindrical grip member may be configured to telescope together.
As described below, in particular instances the second cylindrical grip member defines a second annular recess configured to receive the first cylindrical grip member when the second cylindrical grip member moves longitudinally towards the midplane.
In some examples, the third cylindrical grip member defines a third annular recess configured to receive the second cylindrical grip member when the third cylindrical grip member moves longitudinally towards the midplane.
This document describes certain examples where the spherical grip member is mounted to the shaft longitudinally adjacent to the third cylindrical grip member.
In select embodiments, the spherical grip member is mounted to the first end of the shaft.
As described below, in particular instances the spherical grip member is configured to selectively mount to the first end of the shaft and to be selectively removed from the first end of the shaft.
In some examples, the spherical grip member has a fourth radial dimension larger than the third radial dimension.
This document describes certain examples where the second radial dimension is double the first radial dimension.
In select embodiments, the third radial dimension is triple the first radial dimension.
This document describes certain examples where the second progressively increasing radial dimension from the longitudinal center to the second end symmetrically mirrors the first progressively increasing radial dimension from the longitudinal center and the first end.
In select embodiments, the first progressively increasing radial dimension is defined by discrete longitudinal portions of fixed radial dimensions.
In some examples, the first spherical grip member removeably attaches to the first end of the shaft. The second spherical grip member may removeably attach to the second end of the shaft.
The disclosed exercise bars will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various exercise bars are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.
With reference to the figures, exercise bars with multiple grip members will now be described. The exercise bars discussed herein enable a user to exercise his or her grip muscles. The exercise bars include multiple grip members, which allows for multiple grip muscle exercises. One method of using the exercise bars is to selectively rotate them with or without a resistance accessory attached to them. Exercises involving lifting, pushing, and pulling the exercise bars are also contemplated.
The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed exercise bars address many of the shortcomings of conventional exercise equipment. For example, the novel exercise bars described below provide multiple grips, which greatly increase their effectiveness for grip strength training. The novel exercise bars include grip members of multiple sizes and shapes, making them effective and robust tools to target multiple grip muscles through exercise. The novel exercise bars provide a variety of grips and grip positions to enable training a broader spectrum of grip muscles and grip supporting muscles.
Unlike large and cumbersome conventional grip strength exercise equipment, the novel exercise bars discussed herein are compact and feature dense. The novel exercise bars require only a relatively small space and are easily transportable. Desirably, the novel exercise bars are simple, compact, and portable.
In contrast to fixed conventional exercise equipment, the novel exercise bars below are designed in some instances to be reconfigured to a smaller size for transport or storage. As a result, the novel exercise bars require only a small space to store and are well suited to transporting from one location to another. Beneficially, the novel exercise devices discussed herein can be readily put into a compact configuration to require less space for storage or transport.
Ancillary features relevant to the exercise bars described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the exercise bars.
The exercise bars described below may be used with resistance accessories of various kinds to provide exercise resistance. Resistance from the accessory facilitates grip strength training by making grip muscles work harder to rotate, lift, push, or pull the exercise bar. As shown in
One suitable example of a resistance accessory, resistance accessory 150, is shown in
In the example shown in
The size, shape, and type of the resistance accessory may vary in different examples. In general, a user will select a resistance accessory to use with the exercise bars described below based on coupling compatibility, the type of exercise sought, and the amount of resistance desired.
With reference to
As shown in
The reader can see in
Midplane 120 conceptually divides exercise bar 100 into a first longitudinal half 123 and a second longitudinal half 124. First longitudinal half 123 extends between midplane 120 and first end 102. Second longitudinal half 124 extends between midplane 120 and second end 103. As depicted in
As shown in
The reader should understand that in other examples, the radial dimensions may decrease from the midplane towards the ends rather than increase. In still further examples, the radial dimensions initially increase and then decrease towards the ends. The radial dimensions may also undulate between the midplane and the ends.
The progressively increasing radial dimensions serve to provide different grip sizes to work grip muscles differently. In general, a user gripping a grip member with a larger radial dimension will require more strength to rotate exercise bar 100. The larger radial dimension of the grip member increases the moment arm that a user must overcome to rotate exercise bar 100 and makes rotating exercise bar 100 more taxing. In addition to rotating exercise bar 100, lifting, pushing, and pulling exercise bar 100 when gripping larger grip members also provides a more strenuous grip workout.
As depicted in
The reader can see in
The size and shape of the exercise bar may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the exercise bar is larger or smaller than depicted in the figures.
Shaft 101 functions to support the grip members. Shaft 101 also provides a rigid structure for attaching elongate tension bearing member 107. Further, shaft 101 provides a rigid structure to selectively wrap and unwrap elongate tension bearing member 107 around it.
With reference to
In the present example, as shown in
The size and shape of the shaft may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the shaft is larger or smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures.
In the present example, the shaft is composed of metal. However, the shaft may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for exercise bar applications. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, wood, and composite materials.
The cylindrical grip members provide a user with different sized grips to hold and use exercise bar 100. As shown in
The multiple different cylindrical grip members provide different grip sizes to work grip muscles differently. In general, a user gripping a grip member with a larger radial dimension will require more strength to rotate exercise bar 100. The larger radial dimension of the grip member increases the moment arm that a user must overcome to rotate exercise bar 100 and makes rotating exercise bar more taxing. In addition to rotating exercise bar 100, lifting, pushing, and pulling exercise bar 100 when gripping larger grip members also provides a more strenuous grip workout.
As depicted in
The reader can see in
The reader can see in
With reference to
In the present example, as approximately represented in
As shown in
With reference to
In the present example, the cylindrical grip members are composed of rubber and foam. However, the cylindrical grip members may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for grip member applications. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, wood, and composite materials.
The cylindrical grip members may be any currently known or later developed type of cylindrical grip member. Various cylindrical grip member types exist and could be used in place of the cylindrical grip members shown in the figures. In addition to the types of cylindrical grip members existing currently, it is contemplated that the exercise bars described herein could incorporate new types of cylindrical grip members developed in the future.
The number of cylindrical grip members in the exercise bar may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should appreciate that the number of cylindrical grip members may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some exercise bar examples include additional or fewer cylindrical grip members than described in the present example.
The size and shape of the cylindrical grip members may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the cylindrical grip members are larger or smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures.
The role of elongate tension bearing member 107 is to cooperate with coupler 108 to couple exercise bar 100 to resistance accessory 150. As apparent from
As shown in
The size and shape of the elongate tension bearing member may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the elongate tension bearing member is larger or smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures.
In the present example, the elongate tension bearing member is composed of cordage. However, the elongate tension bearing member may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for coupling applications. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, and composite materials.
The elongate tension bearing member may be any currently known or later developed type of elongate tension bearing member, such as cords, chains, or rope. Various elongate tension bearing member types exist and could be used in place of the elongate tension bearing member shown in the figures. In addition to the types of elongate tension bearing members existing currently, it is contemplated that the exercise bars described herein could incorporate new types of elongate tension bearing members developed in the future.
Coupler 108 functions to couple exercise bar 100 to resistance accessory 150. In particular, as shown in
In the present example, coupler 108 is a clip. However, the coupler may be any currently known or later developed type of coupler. Various coupler types exist and could be used in place of the coupler shown in the figures. In addition to the types of couplers existing currently, it is contemplated that the exercise bars described herein could incorporate new types of couplers developed in the future.
The size and shape of the coupler may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the coupler is larger or smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures.
The spherical grip members provide a different shape than the cylindrical grip members for gripping exercise bar 100. The spherical shape of spherical grip member 113 is more difficult to grip in some respects than the cylindrical grip members, which makes grip exercises while gripping them more strenuous. Irrespective of difficulty, spherical grip member 113 changes the biomechanics involved with rotating shaft 101 to wind and unwind elongate tension bearing member 107.
In one example, a user grips the spherical grip members with palms overlying axial positions relative to longitudinal axis 122 rather than on radial positions of exercise bar 100 like occurs when gripping the cylindrical grip members. Expressed another way, the user's palms overlie the ends of exercise bar 100 in this first example. Gripping the spherical grip members at the ends of exercise bar 100 allows the user to rotate shaft 101 using a dial turning motion rather than a direct rolling motion used with the cylindrical grip members.
In another example, the user grips the spherical grip members at a radial position relative to longitudinal axis 122 similar to how the cylindrical grip members are gripped. A direct rolling motion of the spherical grip members, similar to the motion used when gripping the cylindrical grip members, may thus be used to rotate shaft 101 when gripping spherical grip members from radial positions.
With reference to
In the present example, as shown in
The reader can see in
In some examples the spherical grip member is not perfectly spherical. For example, the end or spherical grip members may have a variety of bulbous shapes. A wide variety of shapes projecting roughly equally in three-dimensions, such as cubes, pear shapes, egg shapes, and the like, may be used instead of or in addition to pure sphere shapes.
In some examples, a variety of removable end grip members are provided to be interchangeably used. For example, the end grip members may include a disk, a sphere, a cube, a bar oriented obliquely to the shaft, and an irregularly shaped grip member. Selectively attaching the different grip members may provide the user with a variety of different exercise modes.
The spherical grip members may be any currently known or later developed type of spherical grip member. Various spherical grip member types exist and could be used in place of the spherical grip members shown in the figures. In addition to the types of spherical grip members existing currently, it is contemplated that the exercise bars described herein could incorporate new types of spherical grip members developed in the future.
The number of spherical grip members in the exercise bar may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should appreciate that the number of spherical grip members may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some exercise bar examples include additional or fewer spherical grip members than described in the present example.
In the present example, the spherical grip members are composed of foam. However, the spherical grip members may be composed of any currently known or later developed material suitable for grip member applications. Suitable materials include metals, polymers, ceramics, wood, and composite materials.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal to scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
